Chapter 13

Matthew found him in an empty span of ocean, petting his rather large mammal, Whaley. Alfred looked so depressed he almost didn't want to swim up and give the bad news. But he had too; Matthew always did what he was told.

"Hey Mattie," Alfred said, his voice a painful monotone. He didn't even turn to look at his brother.

"Al," Matthew swam over to Alfred, looking at him with sympathetic eyes, "You let him go?"

Alfred nodded, "Yes."

"But I thought…you love him don't you? Why didn't-?"

"He wasn't happy, Matthew. I…I thought he could see how much I cared but it didn't matter. He didn't even like the treasure after a while."

"Of course he wasn't, Alfred, you held him captive, destroyed his ship, anyone would hate that," Matthew patted his brother's shoulder then looked at him contemplatively, "Why did you keep him there anyway?"

Alfred shook his head, "Can't tell, I made a promise not to. But you know…I kinda just wished that I could make him smile, just once. Not because he was drunk or anything or was planning to scare me shitless," Alfred gave a sad chuckle, "I just wanted him to smile because of me. It was useless though. You didn't see him, Matthew. You didn't see him break. His eyes looked," he swallowed, "dead. Then one day I heard him sing…and I…I…"

Matthew gasped, "Oh no, Al. You didn't…"

"I-I didn't do anything too bad. It was just a kiss. I kissed him, I couldn't help it. But when I saw the look in his eyes," a sigh, "I didn't feel like the hero at all. And when I came back he was crying, Mattie. I made him cry. And he begged me to let him go."

"And you let him?"

Alfred was silent and stopped petting the whale. Whaley looked up at him with concerned eyes, "He's happy now, he'll never see me again." The merman looked so defeated that Matthew couldn't help but to reach and give him a hug.

"I'm sorry, Al," Matthew whispered into his shoulder.

"Mattie," Alfred closed his eyes and let his head rest on Matthew's hair, "I won't see him again, right? You're here cause of dad," there wasn't a question in his voice, it was a statement.

The other merman stiffened then tightened his hold on Alfred, "Yes."

There was a sigh of resignation, "I'll go," Alfred's hand that was stroking the whale dropped to his side, "Goodbye, Whaley."

Said creature could only give a small wail as his friend swam off with the soft spoken merman.

The ship already knew how to make its way to the docks, even laying down the plank for walking onto the dock. A few people looked in wonder at the large ship manned by no one and the lone captain who stepped out, head held high. But, as it turned out, most were too busy with their own matters and the rumors of a pirate ship commandeered by a lone captain quickly died among the hubbub.

The captain in question was having a glorious time, taking a deep breath of the odor that could only be produced by a mass of humans, a bunch he found himself quite missing over the past month. Freedom was truly sweet and for Arthur (at that moment) it meant feeling like he owned the port town.

Like any person who knew what they were doing he paid the docking fee with a hefty sum of gold laying down the right layers of threats and buttering up to ensure the safety of his vessel. He then continued on to the bustling port city, enjoying the crowd, though feeling a bit naked with the absence of a crew flanking him by his sides and keeping any persons of suspicion away. It irked him that he would have to gather a new crew from basically nothing, a rather taxing task.

The Dragon's Egg pub seemed like the best choice to get his errands done, rowdy and crowded; the perfect place to start searching and to his rum quota. With the ease of a pirate he walked in and doged flying bottles and men to sit at an empty table. The server came by he didn't bother to look up, "A pint of rum," he ordered.

"Arthur? C-Captain Arthur?"

"Yes-," Arthur looked up and was shocked to see Toris standing there, dressed as a server boy. "Toris!" the captain jumped up and gave a quick hug to the stunned young man.

"H-how did you? I mean, how are you alive?" Toris sputtered like old times sake.

Arthur smiled and waved to the chair, "Sit down, it's a long story."

Toris looked around cautiously for a moment, "I guess I could take a small break."

Smiling, Arthur nodded, knowing the lad he probably deserved one. He took a deep breath and began, "I suppose you remember Alfred?"

Arthur went on to describe his confinement in the cave, leaving out a few choice details but even with the slight censorship Toris listened attentively, eyes widening impossibly and jaw dropping at the appropriate times.

"And he let you go, just like that?" he asked when Arthur finished, "With a ship and all that treasure?"

Arthur shifted in his seat, "Yes. I don't quite know why but you never really can know with that merman. Ever since he released me I haven't seen him though, can't really complain," he almost stumbled over the words for some reason, "So how did you survive the storm? What about the rest of the crew?"

"Well, when the ship fell I was, like everyone else, thrown into the deep water. I thought I was going to drown but somehow…I was able to find my way to the surface of the water. Everyone else as well, even the men who couldn't swim somehow made it. The rescue boats somehow survived as well and I was able to get onto one. Actually, everyone was able to get to a boat (except for you) and survived. Then storm died down as quickly as it started and we floated on the sea for no more than half a day when a ship came by and picked us up," Toris grimaced, "A British Royal Navy ship. We were locked up immediately and we stayed there for a few days as they traveled to port to hang us. Then one day we heard a voice shouting from off the ship, almost familiar to my ears. There were laughs from above and then this dull thump. Everything was quiet when suddenly the doors unlocked and we walked out."

"Unlocked? By themselves?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.

Toris nodded, "We didn't know what to think. But that wasn't all; we went up to the upper deck to find the entire crew of the British Navy to be knocked out cold. We were able to then throw them into the brig and take over the ship."

Arthur's eyes widened, "That is something. But then, why are you here?"

"For a few days we sailed, first dropping off the navy men on a deserted island. We planned to continue pirating but soon it became apparent that it just wasn't the same…not without you," Toris blushed and so did Arthur and the two men sat there for a moment in an awkward silence.

"T-thank you, I suppose," Arthur muttered.

Toris coughed, "We sailed back to port, sold the ship and agreed to split the money and lay low," Toris spread his hands, "So now, I'm here."

Arthur nodded thoughtfully then smiled at Toris, "I'm glad to know you are all doing okay. So," Arthur clapped his hands together, "What do you think about going back to sea? I've got the ship; all I need is the crew.

"I-I would love to," Toris said with a small smile.

"Good! I don't suppose you know where any of the others are?"

Toris nodded vigorously, "I can contact everyone. The crew will be glad to hear you are alive and well. I'm sure they will be eager to sail with you again."

Arthur stood up, Toris following, "Alright, let's get the band back together."

Everything progressed smoothly after that. Toris was right, the rest of the crew were very eager to get back together at the prospect of sailing again with their thought-to-be-dead-captain and the promise of very good pay. They had asked Arthur about his disappearance and Arthur did not tell them the truth (still had to keep his image, thank you). Before long, rumors spread of the great Captain Kirkland who survived the sea for an entire month with little more than a sloop and a glass shard.

Arthur didn't care. He was on the sea again, in the sun with his crew. Everything was so refreshing, shouting orders, the fresh air, the regained feeling of control, and the change in food. Not even the apprehensions from the past few days bothered him. He was so happy the crew was apprehensive with how freely he gave his smiles and the spring in his step.

That was the first day.

The next day Arthur found it all just as refreshing, the wind, the rocking of the sea, the crew. But something was…off. Something about the sea was too empty. The sky too clear. But he easily shook it off, just as easily as he ignored the shell in his pocket.

Then came the third day. The discomfort from the day before returned except now with a new intensity. The excitement brought by the salty wind, the very act of sailing, seemed to dull. He kept glancing at the sea, searching, searching…searching…Alfred, where the hell was he? Somehow he was the reason. Damn! Even free he still was wrapped around that boy's finger. If only he would show up so he could shoot him, once and for all. But still, nothing.

Arthur didn't get sleep that night and by the next day he was pacing around, rubbing the sea shell in between his fingers with a crazed fervor. He ignored everyone else, even the worried Toris. Everything but his sudden want for Alfred was put to the back of his mind, he couldn't enjoy anything.

Slowly his anger toward Alfred faded replaced with something far more painful. The tugging to his heart grew and his thoughts were drawn not to the annoying, obnoxious qualities of the merman. No, rather he came to accept them, or he did a very long time ago. Now he thought of his smooth voice, his kind hands, his laugh when it wasn't tainted by his ego. Arthur maybe…missed him. But that was impossible, Alfred kidnapped him there was no possible way he was developing feelings.

Arthur shook his head. Feelings or not Alfred could at least visit him. He had been thinking about it (not all the time, it wasn't like he was a lovesick maiden) but it seemed strange that Alfred hadn't visited him once. The more he thought about it the stranger the idea became and to his horror he started to…worry. Maybe if he saw Francis, or Matthew, even Ivan dear he say, he could get some answers. Wait, didn't Matthew say there was something he could do…the sea witch and a flower.

If you are in desperate need of help throw a flower into the water and ask for the sea witch Eliza but only do so as a last resort, all sea witches ask for payment.

Wasting no time he ran to the storage room. He knew what all the treasures were; he knew them by heart. He burst into the room, not caring what he stepped on, looking for something not made of gold or jewels, but leather. Finally he spotted it, the familiar leather bound book amongst the piles of gold. His hands opened the book then pulled out what he was looking for, a dried, pressed rose. Holding it delicately he ran out to the poop deck.

"All hands, go to the lower decks!" he called, "Rest, eat, do whatever you like but stay below deck!"

All of the men stopped what they were doing and ran to do what they were told, eager to get a good night's sleep. Toris was the only one who walked up to Arthur, question in his eyes, "Captain Arthur? Is there something wrong?"

Arthur waved him off, "No Toris, I just need some time alone."

Toris gave one last worried glance then slowly walked away. When he disappeared below Arthur quickly looked around to make sure there were no stragglers then walked to the edge of the ship. He let the flower drop into the water.

"Um, sea witch Eliza!" he mumbled with uncertainty, "Please come to my…aid?" this was so much more stupid looking in real life than in his mind. Really what was he doing?

He took a deep breath to call the crew back outside when he promptly choked on air as a pale hand reached from the depths of the blue waters and grabbed the rose. As Arthur recovered his lost air he watched as a head followed the arm. A pale brown haired woman with green eyes and a flower in her hair looked up at him, "Hello Arthur," she said, Arthur could hear the mischievousness in her voice, "You called?"

"Y-yes," Arthur said shakily then cleared his throat, "You must be Eliza."

She gave a small bow of her head, "Also known as Eliza the Sea Witch, yes. Now before you say anything I must say that I can provide you everything you so wish and need, information and more. But I require a price, a hefty one but you must agree to it beforehand or I shall leave you to your…musings."

"W-what? You can't just demand I pay before I get any goods!"

Her green eyes seemed to glow dangerously, "A promise from a sea witch is much more valuable than that of a human or merman. If you agree I will give you something in return, something with equal and true value. It is up to you to decide whether or not you think that Alfred is worth it."

Arthur grit his teeth, "What is the price?"

"I cannot say."

"Of course not," Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Well? Do you want what I offer?"

You haven't even said what you offer, Arthur thought angrily but he was too desperate (no not desperate) to care at this point, "Fine. Give it to me, witch."

Eliza smiled, "Gladly. The first thing I give you is answers. You have been chewing on many questions for the past few months. Go ahead, ask."

Arthur threw his hands up in the air in exasperation, "Oh I don't know! Why did he keep me there in that damn cave? Why did he let me go? Why is he still gone?"

"For your fist question the answer is quite sweet. You see that day when he saved you, you know what I am speaking of, he became quite attached to you. He did not see you again for a long while though until he saw you later as captain of the Black Britannia. Then, as he watched you from the waters as you conquered pirates and the Navy, his feelings of adoration grew into love," she gave a sickening (in Arthur's mind) sigh, "But he did not know what to do to woo you so he sought help, from me."

Arthur was blushing at the thought that the merman had fallen in love with him, really the daft creature… "From you?"

"Yes," she smiled up at him, "He was so adorable too. I told him that if he wanted any chance with you he would have to have legs and some…alone time."

"Wait, are you telling me he took me into that cave…because of you?"

Eliza shrugged her shoulders, "Not exactly. I only gave him some pills that allow humans to last long in deep water. He was the one who took my advice a bit differently than I imagined. The reason he didn't tell you in the first place was because as payment he had to promise to not tell anyone about anything. And as part of the payment was the promise that this relationship he was pursuing had to succeed and I could…observe."

Arthur's cheeks were flushed with color, "He got his legs for a promise and that you could o-observe us? And what's this about a relationship?"

The sea witch's smile grew, "Oh it was a nice payment but a weak one. As consequence he could have legs but only for a set amount of time, half a day or a day at most. That's one of the reasons why he could not stay with you for long along with the ship building. Oh and you like the ship? He was going to show it to you personally and give it as a gift."

"Well then why didn't he? Why did he let me go, in a ship no less?" Arthur said as he massaged his forehead that was starting to pound, "Didn't he promise to make me l-love him or something?"

For the first time Eliza's smile faded to a frown, "Yes, he was supposed to pursue a relationship but he…gave up. I can only guess that he saw your unhappiness and sacrificed his own for your sake. And the ship, well, I think he finally realized that he couldn't win you over with treasures and ships," she gave a small smile, "He really does love you."

Arthur could only blush and sputter, "Humph, well it's just like that idiot to give up and leave me forever. Some love that is."

Eliza's face darkened again, "You don't understand, you have to know his family. Alfred is the son of the Ruler of the Sea, a powerful merman who is the strongest with his raw strength and magical ability, something granted by the royal scepter. He is an arrogant person who does not care who he beds with or the lives he destroys. Alfred's mother was one of his victims, a sickly mermaid who died when she found out that her husband had bedded with another while he was married to her. This other woman gave birth to the merman you know as Matthew."

"I thought they were twins!" Arthur said unbelievingly.

"They may say that but they are half-brothers, born on different dates and in different places. Alfred cannot bring himself to hate Matthew or Matthew's mother but he loathes his father. He was attached to his mother and was devastated at her death and blames him for her death. But revenge for is mother is useless against the King so he does his best to keep away from the capital. However, as much as he hates royalty and would have nothing to do with it, he is the next in line to the throne and his father is possessive of him. At the news that his son fell in love with a human and a man at that, he is unhappy with his son."

"So he's…?"

She was quiet for a moment before she answered, "Being punished and willingly I'm afraid to say. He has accepted his right to the throne and sits at the right hand of the Ruler of the Sea now. His father naturally does not allow him to see you."

"B-but, that's not fair he doesn't want to be the Ruler does he? Is he physically getting hurt?"

Eliza nodded, "The rules of royalty for merfolk are much like that of human royalty, it is without feeling or emotion, only rules and rights. Alfred does not want to be Ruler nor does he want to be in the company of the man he hates so dearly. His punishment also entails him getting whipped at noon time for the next hundred years."

Arthur looked at her with disbelief, "What is that idiot doing? Someone should do something! Snap him out of it!"

"No one is willing to face the Ruler of the Seas himself. Unless…."

"Unless what?"

The chilling smile returned, "Unless you wish to go to him and break him from his binds."

"M-me but-but-,"

"You have wanted to see him for a good while now no? And he needs your help; the chains that bind him are invisible but strong, too strong for Alfred's spirit as it is. Do not deny it, you lov-,"

"NO! No, no, no! I need to go rescue him but I will not do so because I l-lov-like that git!"

"So it's settled! You are going to Alfred," she smiled.

Arthur blushed, "Y-you sucked me into this!"

Eliza shrugged it off, "If you say so. To save him you must be able to breathe underwater and have a much stronger magic done to you than Alfred; the trip to the City is a very long one; you'll need at least twenty-four hours," her smile faded, "The price is already set and will cost you much and it will be paid as soon as you are granted your wish."

"What wish? I never wished for anything!" Arthur said angrily.

"Yes you did, I can hear it echoing in the depths of your soul. You wish to be able to stay with him forever, I'll make it possible."

Arthur looked at her, utterly speechless. Eliza took the moment to speak up, "Your wish will be granted the moment you touch water and your payment taken. A friend of Alfred will be waiting to lead you to him. Oh and you will most likely not come back so I would tell someone to take care of your ship and treasure," she slowly sank back into the water, "Búcsú Captain Arthur, I wish you good luck in your journey."

She disappeared then, taking with her the rose. Arthur turned around and shouted, "Toris!" as he slowly stripped of his coat and shirt and weapons.

Toris hurriedly ran up to the deck then covered his eyes as he saw his captain there stripping, "Oh, I'm sorry Captain!"

"No matter, Toris. Come here."

Bashfully, Toris walked over to his Captain, averting his eyes, "Y-yes C-captain."

"Here, take my effects," Arthur handed over his clothes and weapons, "You're captain now."

"W-WHAT?" Toris yelled.

Arthur, unaffected by Toris' outburst took his hat and placed it on the young man's head, "You heard me. I'm going to get some business over with now. Take care of the ship for me will you? If I don't come back, well, I'm sure you'll be a great captain."

"B-but Captain-!"

"I'm not Captain; you can call me Arthur now, Toris. Now excuse me, I'm going on a little swim," before Toris could get in a word (perhaps mentioning that he could not even doggy paddle) Arthur shed his pants and jumped into the water.

AN: Haha, Toris is forever scared now.

Can anyone guess the "friend" that is waiting for Arthur? You get honorable mentions if you do on the next chapter.

Only two more chapters to go (unless you guys want an extra, but we can worry later).

I hope you enjoyed it I was going to turn this in tomorrow but dang it, you guys are just too nice! 15 reviews! That's amazing! I know I've said this before but those are the reason I get these updates so quickly, that and it's typed already. Please review!